The holiday season is undoubtedly one of the most hectic times of the year. Cooking for friends and family visiting from out of town, buying gifts, and making travel arrangements are all time-consuming tasks and may cause you to forget one of the most noteworthy parts of the season: the stocking stuffers. To give you one last thing to worry about this holiday season, continue reading for ideas on stocking stuffers that will promote healthy, beautiful smiles.
Idea #1: Healthy Snacks
Candy canes, chocolate, and butterscotch are common sweets to find in your Christmas stocking. Unfortunately, they are full of sugar that can do some serious damage to your pearly whites. Some dentist-approved treats to fill stockings with instead include:
- Dark chocolate – It’s easier to wash away than hard or sticky candies and also contains less sugar than milk chocolate.
- Nuts – Brazil nuts, almonds, and cashews are full of nutrients that your smile needs to stay healthy and strong.
- Sugar-free candy – Chocolate, hard candy, gummies, and other popular candies have sugar-free variants that are better for your beam.
- Sugarless gum – This doesn’t contain any sugar to feed harmful oral bacteria and can also increase saliva production.
Idea #2: Reusable Straws
One reason why reusable straws make a great stocking stuffer is that they cut back on waste since they can be washed after each use. they can also help you and your family avoid oral health issues period drinking beverages that are known for causing stains, such as coffee, tea, and red wine, through a straw will prevent them from having as much contact with your pearly whites.
Idea #3: A New Toothbrush
A new toothbrush is also a great stocking stuffer, especially if your family is overdue for getting there’s replaced. Toothbrushes need to be replaced every three to six months because this is around the time when the bristles start to fray. Frayed bristles won’t be as effective at removing plaque from smiles, so it’s important to do this once they start to wear. Additionally, toothbrushes should be replaced after getting over an illness since not doing so may lead to reinfection. For children who are still using manual toothbrushes, this may be the perfect time to move them to an electric one if they’re ready to do so.
Idea #4: Toothpaste and Dental Floss
There is a range of fun toothpaste and dental floss flavors that will make dental care more fun for your loved ones. This is especially true for children who are still getting used to caring for their pearly whites. Some of the flavors that you should look out for include waffle, cherry, pickle, bacon, banana, cupcake, ranch dressing, spiced pumpkin, strawberry, and bubblegum.
Stocking stuffers are one of the most fun parts of Christmas Day, so don’t let the busyness of the season keep you from buying good ones. With these four ideas, your Christmas morning will surely be one to remember!
About the Practice
Dr. Natalie J. Ortiz, Dr. Ramon M. Ortiz, and their team at Painted Skies Dental Center love helping their Las Cruces patients protect their smiles all year long. During the holidays, they can help you provide your smile with extra protection by giving you ideas for stocking stuffers that will promote excellent oral health. If you are ready to set up a visit with Painted Skies Dental Center or want more information on their services, call their Las Cruces office at (575) 521-8720 or visit their website.